Lancashire Bolsters T20 Lineup with Signing of Chris Green for Vitality Blast

Australia’s Chris Green, a spinner, has signed with Lancashire for the Vitality Blast. Cricket Australia has withdrawn Nathan Lyon’s permission to play white-ball cricket while he is in England, so Green will take his position in Lancashire’s lineup.

Though he made his first-class debut in 2022 and has played for New South Wales during the last two Sheffield Shield seasons, Green, 30, gained notoriety as a T20 specialist who was excellent with the new ball. He has three prior appearances in the Blast, representing the Birmingham Bears and Middlesex. He has T20 experience all around the world, most notably in the Big Bash and Caribbean Premier League.

Although Green earned his Australia T20I debut in December, he is not anticipated to play in the T20 World Cup.

“Following the news that Nathan would no longer be available to play T20 for us, Dale [Benkenstein] and I were really keen to ensure that when going back into the market for an overseas replacement, they would have full availability across both group stage blocks in the Blast which we believe is important to get some continuity in the team,” Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s director of cricket performance, said

“What drew us to Chris was not only his skill set, which includes bowling spin in all areas of the game, but also his availability. Chris has developed into a really effective batsman toward the end of an innings, an area where we felt the team lacked some strength.

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“Chris is also a really experienced campaigner, captain of Sydney Thunder in the BBL, and at times we may field a young T20 side this year so adding experience in that format will be a real help for us.”

Green has claimed 164 wickets at an economy of 7.03 in 200 T20 matches. He assumed leadership of the Sydney Thunder for the 2023–24 season, but the team finished last, winning only one of their 10 games.

“I am really happy to be joining Lancashire for this year’s Vitality Blast,” Green stated. “I am looking forward to getting together with my new teammates next month.” I am really enthusiastic about what we can accomplish together this summer after chatting with Dale Benkenstein and Mark Chilton prior to signing. Lancashire has a really strong squad.

“I have really enjoyed my previous experiences of playing in the Blast in England and I am looking forward to heading to Manchester and playing at Emirates Old Trafford for the first time.”